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The Former Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station Receiving $20 million
Renovation and Conversion to the St. Louis Union Station Marriott
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Marriott Returns to Downtown St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, December 17, 2008 - The St. Louis Union Station Marriott officially opened its doors this morning, bringing the luxury Marriott brand name back to downtown St. Louis. Formerly the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station, the 539-room hotel offers elegant amenities along with great views of downtown St. Louis, the Gateway Arch and Union Station.

"Union Station is a landmark in St. Louis," said Rob Steigerwald, Marriott Executive Vice President-North American Lodging. "We are honored to be a part of both the history this building and the City of St. Louis."

Guest room and suite renovations are already underway across the hotel. More than $20 Million in upgrades, construction and renovation are planned as part of the new Marriott property. Additional specifics on the upgrades will be announced in the first quarter of 2009.
 

In 1891, the National Railroad Association's primary goal was to build a new rail station in St. Louis. Architect Teheodore Link received a $10,000 commission for his work. He was facinated by French castles, an obsession reflected in his design for the station, which included three main areas: the Headhouse contained the Terminal Hotel (now the Marriott Hotel), ticket offices, waiting rooms, a restaurant (now the Station Grille) and the offices for the Pullman Terminal Railroad Association Companies; the Midway was the covered transfer area for passengers; and the Train Shed was a large, roofed area encompassing the loading platforms and tracks. 

On September 15, 1894, St. Louis Union Station - an enormous project built for merely $6.5 million - opened as the largest, most beautiful terminal in the United States. The gem of this new station was its Grand Hall with its gold leaf, Romanesque arches, 65-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows. The most magnificent of these stained glass windows is the "Allegorical Window," which is majestically framed by the famous "Whispering Arch." 
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St. Louis became so popular that more than 100,000 passengers a day began traveling through here making it the biggest and busiest train station in the world. Unfortunately, after World War II, the general public began choosing other forms of transportation and on October 31, 1977, the final train pulled out of St. Louis Union Station. 

The building was rapidly deteriorating until a snowstorm delayed James H. Levi in St. Louis. While in town, he took a tour of the city and came to Union Station. Levi saw Union Station's potential and in March of 1979, Oppenheimer Properties bought the property for $5.5 million. In August of 1985, St. Louis Union Station reopened after a complete $150 million renovation, making it the largest adaptive re-use project in the United States. http://www.historichotels.org

"We are excited to bring Marriott and its prestige back to downtown St. Louis," said Doug Dean, General Manager of the St. Louis Union Station Marriott. "Our guests will already see a difference in the property. We've made upgrades and more are on the way. This hotel has a wonderful history and we look forward to the future, introducing returning guests and new customers to our Marriott."

The St. Louis Union Station Marriott is designed to exceed guest expectations in every way. From the elegant concierge rooms in the original terminal hotel building, to the garden rooms that offer views of the Union Station lake, guests will be treated to the traditional style and impeccable service that has made Marriott a worldwide leader in the hospitality industry. 
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St. Louis Union Station Marriott
formerly the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station
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"The renovation of this wonderful property and addition of Marriott and its first-class amenities gives St. Louis another jewel as we look to attract even more conventions and visitors to our city," said Kitty Ratcliffe, President of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. "The St. Louis Union Station Marriott is an icon for the City and convenient for both groups attending conventions and families in town for a game or a fun weekend away."

ABOUT THE ST. LOUIS UNION STATION MARRIOTT 
Listed as a Historical Hotel of America, the St. Louis Union Station Marriott offers unsurpassed beauty and elegance in a downtown setting. The hotel is attached to shopping and dining, and is just short walk from venues like the Gateway Arch, the Scottrade Center - home of the NHL's St. Louis Blues, Bush Stadium - home of the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Edward Jones Dome and America's Center Convention Center - home of the NFL's St. Louis Rams. The downtown St. Louis hotel exceeds expectations in every detail from the opulent Grand Hall to the elegant ballrooms. This convention property offers extensive event space for successful corporate events and memorable social gatherings. Personal service, luxurious amenities, and two restaurants add modern services to old world charm. 

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Contact:

St. Louis Union Station Marriott
(314) 621-5262
    Katie Johnston, Director of Sales & Marketing
    [email protected]
 

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Also See: Owners of the St Louis Downtown Renaissance Hotel Must Convince the Bondholders of $98 million of Debt not to Foreclose / October 2008
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